Thread: Short Barrell .308win Loads (16.5”)

What are people loading for short barrelled .308win?

I have a 16.5” barrel with a 1in8 twist (very fast).

I’ve managed 125gr CE Maximus at 0.6” @ 100 years / 2750fps MV.

Keen to try some heavy projectiles but I’m not sure if I can achieve the appropriate speeds to allow the 150-170gr projectiles to operate.

Goal is fallow/red deer out to 350.

TIA, cheers

165 Nosler BTs work a treat

Thanks @Gibo. What speed are you getting out of these?

2650 in a 16" barrel, using 2206H

Originally Posted by Gibo

2650 in a 16" barrel, using 2206H

How big a sprinkle of 2206h @Gibo?

I am using 168 ELD-M at about 2550fps. Seem to work well.
2750fps for 125gn seems slow? I was getting 2990fps with 125gn ABs and H335 from a 16" barrel when using the lighter bullets. Slower twist but.

12.75" barrel, running rl15, i think about 2600fps from a 150g

My rifle is same barrel length and twist (16.5", 1:8), I mainly use the 30-30 160gr FTX bullet at 2350 fps (slow for 308 but fast for 30-30).
The PPU factory 150gr ammo does about 2610fps, the 180gr about 2395fps.

Originally Posted by Hunty1

How big a sprinkle of 2206h @Gibo?

44.5, no signs of pressure in my rifle

Originally Posted by Gibo

44.5, no signs of pressure in my rifle

Sprinkle?! That's a bucket load

130 TTSX 46.5g H335 and playing with 165 SST 40g H335

Watching with interest as i have just acquired a 16.5 inch "300 super blackout" or 308win if you prefer
and here it is

I've been running 150gr NBT and 165gr Speer BTSP with great success in 16" tikka. 150s do 2730fps and 165 do 2540fps. Use 2206h for both, have also used h335 in the past.

Originally Posted by Gibo

44.5, no signs of pressure in my rifle

Exactly what i was getting with same powder load

168gr amax or eldm work really well. Shot hundreds of deer with them. Out past 500 yards with a 16" barrel no worries. They are only doing 2520 fps out of my rifle but I wouldn't want them going much faster. Pretty soft.
Also run the 130gr speer hollow points which are ridiculously accurate. Not as good as the amax but still work.